Things to do near Hluhluwe Village ... Hippo viewing

A great way to spend the morning - meandering amongst the St Lucia wetlands in the "Spirit of St Lucia", with binoculars & cameras in hand, searching for hippos, crocodiles & birdlife.  Lots of wildlife in view & plenty of photo opportunities.

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, previously known as Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, was listed as South Africa's first World Heritage Site in December 1999 in recognition of its superlative natural beauty and unique global values.

ISSCT ladies - time to check out the hippos, crocodiles & birdlife of the Wetlands.

The 332 000 hectare Park contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, 700 year old fishing traditions, most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and 25 000 year-old coastal dunes – among the highest in the world. The name iSimangaliso means miracle and wonder, which aptly describes this unique place.
Ref: http://isimangaliso.com

The park is also home to 1,200 Nile crocodiles and 800 hippopotami.

Hippopotamuses are found in Africa, and are generally considered the third largest land mammal (after the White rhinoceros and elephant).   Hippopotamuses spend a large amount of time in water and are found in rivers, lakes and swamps.  Resting in water helps keep the hippopotamuses temperature down.  The word ‘hippopotamus’ means ‘river horse’, and is often shortened to ‘hippo’.  Hippopotamuses give birth in water,  are herbivores and eat mostly grass.

Hippo swim time!

A Hippo wink :-)

Hippos enjoying the sunshine

This hippo calf was enjoying the sun & chomping noisily on the grass
near the river.

African fish eagle  -  Haliaeetus vocifer

Woollynecked stork -  Ciconia episcopus
This stork was wandering through the grasses near to a bloat of hippos.

Until tomorrow ...

when I'll share with you some of my experiences in adjacent Cape Vidal area.

Cheers Jen

Things to do near Hluhluwe Village ... Save the Wild Cats

Monday - Great day to save the Wild Cats & soak up life in a traditional Zulu Village!

Anthony, our very knowledgable driver & guide, chauffeured a small group of ladies from the Protea Hotel, Hluhluwe Village on a personalised trip to check out the local sights.

from http://www.endlesssummertours.co.za

First stop was the Emdoneni Cheetah, Serval, Carcal (Lynx) & African Wild Cat Rehabilitation Project, where we had the opportunity to get up close and personal, with  South Africa's endangered wild cat species.
The aim of the project is to care for wild cats that have either been orphaned or injured in the wild and are in need of care and rehabilitation.

Meet Moya, one of the two incumbent male cheetahs.

Moya again - after his nap!

Cheetahs have become extinct in many areas, largely due to shrinking habitat
(they need bushes, tall grass and other large plants to hide from predators),
 loss of prey, disease and a high rate of cub mortality.

Nap time for this Caracal
The Caracal is a non-endangered species. Caracal are mostly killed by farmers,
because of predation on their livestock. In some areas of their range
they are killed for their skin and meat by bush people.

http://www.emdonenilodge.com/cat-rehabilitation/

Next Stop, Ilala Weavers & Fig Tree Restaurant.   Sadly, the weavers weren't in residence, however we had the opportunity to check out the range of African fibre products, beaded products and other locally produced handicrafts.   The Ilala Weavers is best known for trading hand woven Zulu baskets made from Ilala Palm fibres, produced traditionally by women in the Zululand and Maputaland regions of Northern KZN.

Bowls intricately hand woven by Zulu Craftsmen
using different colours of telephone wire.
The Rainbow Collection.

Beautiful, intricately hand woven & highly collectible
 Bottle Neck Basket (Isichumo) -
woven by one of the Ilala Weavers.

http://www.ilala.co.za

Final stop was the Dumazulu Traditional Village & Cultural Show...  We watched the local Zulus make spears, shields, baskets & clay pots.

ISSCT ladies at Dumazulu Village
Jen, Karen, Andrea, Dorothy & Glenda
http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-dumazulu-cultural-village1

Chieftain of Dumazulu Village lavished us with a
traditional Zulu welcome.  Luckily his gestures helped
me understand what he was saying to us.
This Chieftain  has five wives & 25 children!

Time to enjoy & experience the dance of Africa, rhythmic drumbeat &
soulful singing of the local Zulu tribe.  This is the chief choreographer
of the traditional dance & singing experience.

The youngest Zulu dancing.

Soulful singing & dancing
by this Zulu maiden.

Glenda with our Guide Extraordinaire!!

Bye for now

Jen

Farewell Umhlanga ... Welcome Hluhluwe

Today's post will be short & quick ...

Departed Umhlanga after a quick coffee - the very popular Vovo Telo was full with a long waiting list, so had to pop in next door.  Be back to Vovo Telo next visit :-)

Bus trip to Hluhluwe, via the airport.   Pleasant drive past cane fields & plantation eucalyptus trees.

Checked into our room Protea Hotel Hluhluwe ... waiting for the Conference Welcome Dinner.  Wi-fi is only available in the main lounge, so things will be generally short and sweet for this week at least!

The lounge is filling up, so I'll add a few random photos & head off ...

Another in my Tulip story ...
Sydney Botanical Gardens

Powerhouse Museum
Flyers printed using 1860"s Typeset Printer & inks

Kangaroo Paw
Sydney Opera House Gardens

Until next time

Jen

Last evening in Umhlanga Rocks ...

Last evening in Umhlanga Rocks, near Durban.

Lots of walking today - even got as far as 126 Ridge Road, where we lived for a couple of months in early 2003.  Spied a small family of monkeys along the way.  Despite the high fences & razor wire, this agile family scaled the street light posts before leaping over the fences into the gardens below.

Tomorrow we leave Umhlanga Rocks and move a couple of hours north to Hluhluwe (staying at  another Protea Hotel),  for the next conference.

Not sure when my next post will be - hopefully I'll have lots of photos of KwaZulu-Natal with at least a sprinkling of african animals - maybe even the Big 5!

In the mean-time I've included a smattering of photos taken in Umhlanga.

Lunch time!
Umhlanga Rocks

I'm watching you ... You're watching me!
Umhlanga Rocks

Fishing
Umhlanga Rocks style

Umhlanga Rocks towards the Port of Durban

Umhlanga Rocks after an evening storm
towards Durban City

Thought I'd finish this part of our trip with a burst of colour ...

Burst of colour
Sydney Botanical Gardens

Check back in a day or so ...  Bye for now

Cheers Jen

Four weeks left ... Free Delivery on orders from my Etsy Shop

Four weeks left ...

While I'm on my African Adventure, you can enjoy FREE DELIVERY  on any order placed in my Etsy Shop until 22 September 2014 - Minimum order $10.00   

Use Code    FREESHIP10MINIMUM

Orders will be shipped in the week of 22 September.

Tulip
Sydney Botanical Gardens
Experimenting with Macro Lens :-)

I know that things will be a little quiet in my Etsy Shop for a few weeks.  But I will be checking in whenever I have internet access & any orders placed up to 22 September will receive FREE DELIVERY -   Minimum order $10.00   

Check out my Etsy Shop ...

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/JenWatsonPhotography

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Watson-Photography/325217734281008

I love pearls ...

Thursday - Durban weather forecast -  rain & 30 C - not a day for lots of outdoor walking, so headed off to the bead shop for a bit of creativity.

Delighted with my creations (Thursday & Friday) ...

Played with crystals, beads, crimps, fastening clips,
jump rings, chains & tiger tail.

Back again on Friday to create a floating pearl
& Swarovski crystal 3 strand necklace
& matching ear-rings

Also found time to create this Swarovski Crystal
Pearl Necklace with individually hand created
chain links & matching ear-rings.

Time for a coffee ...  delicious Cappuccino at Vovo Telo Cafe.

Creating the coffee

"I want my coffee" from Vovo Telo

 Early Thursday evening erupted with a thunder storm (lots of lighting, thunder & rain).  Friday morning broke with clear skies & fresh air - the grey mist had cleared!

Back again tomorrow.

Cheers Jen

I do like to be beside the seaside ... Umhlanga Rocks

Flight arrived 20min early in Durban  ... staying in Umhlanga Rocks, a short walk to the Indian Ocean!        http://proteahotels.com/hotels/Pages/Protea-Hotel-Umhlanga.aspx

Room wasn't ready (we did arrive at @ 9.00am!) so went for a stroll to check out the beach and ocean views.

View from Umhlanga Rocks towards Durban

Spied a couple of whales not far off shore, think they were a bit camera shy though, because they disappeared too quickly for us to even get the camera out of the bag.  Took the opportunity to capture some of the wildlife whilst experimenting with camera & lenses.

Ready for action

Pretending to pose -  Still life portrait!

Time for lunch ... thought we'd check out the Bakery & Cafe "Vovo Telo Umhlanga" ... Great dining experience, great atmosphere, great food, great service.  Think I'll head back there every day and try something different from their delicious menu.  Certainly recommend the Pate board & the Harissa Chicken Pizza!

Vovo Telo - Yummy Sourdough  bread :-)

www.facebook.com/VovoTeloUmhlanga


After lunch we decided to check out a few of old haunts (from 2003).   The shopping area has grown, lots of eateries & real estate shops ... & there has been extensive re-modelling and upgrading of the shopping malls and centres.  We recognised a few businesses (mainly eateries & Spar).

Even though the Needlework Shop has gone, wandering through the building brought back happy memories of our Tuesday Embroidery Classes.   The Bead Shop was still there even though the complex has been modernized.

Umhlanga is a seaside resort town situated on the east coast of South Africa just north of the Port city of Durban.   Inland from Umhlanga are undulating fields of sugarcane.  Not as much as there used to be though - much has been replaced by office blocks & shopping centres.    Notably,  Gateway Shopping Mall - reputably the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

I spent a few hours checking out Gateway Shopping Mall - purchased some of what was on my list & then enjoyed browsing.  There were a few unique shops, however many were familiar names & labels.  Country Road & Billabong are big, along with many international brands.  Also familiar ones like SpecSavers and Jay Jays!    Great variety of entertainment as well, including movies, wave pool and rock climbing, to name but a few!

Gateway Shopping Centre,
Umhlanga Ridge

Must say - even though I'm not a keen shopper it was a pleasant shopping experience.  Clean, tidy, spacious, variety, not crowded & a smoke free environment :-)   I certainly achieved my 30+ minutes walking today ...  could have done with a travelator a couple of times!

Until next time ...

Cheers

Jen

We're heading off, on a jet plane ...

Discovered a delightful cafe in  Central Park Shopping Centre, Sydney - Autolyse Cafe.  Even thought it's only recently opened, it has gained a reputation for great sourdough bread and other delights.  The coffee we enjoyed yesterday tempted us to head back there for lunch today, despite the Sydney rain.

Looking from the outside in!
https://www.facebook.com/AutolyseCentralPark

The  hand-made breads and pastries which are created at Autolyse, are prepared & baked fresh in the open kitchen.  We enjoyed a delicious BouillaBaisse from the seasonal menu -  Mussels, clams, prawns, calamari, and whiting in a rich tomato sauce ...  Served with a freshly baked baguette &  Great Coffee.
A yummy lunch & great winter warmer on a rainy Sydney day.

Lunch Menu - BouillaBaisse

Three hours later, we're checked-in at Sydney International Airport waiting to board our plane to South Africa.
Counting down ... still an hour to go!

Check back in a day or so, to see what we're up to.

Cheers Jen

Discovering Pop Up Shops in Sydney

Pop Up Shops - A new experience for me!
Everywhere we explored, there was a new one to be checked out, whether it be on the footpath, in an empty shop at The Rocks  or a new shopping centre in Ultimo, under an umbrella, or at the Sydney Powerhouse Museum.

The Sydney Powerhouse Museum, which was just a short walk from our accommodation, was hosting the Sydney Mini Maker Faire over the weekend.  The Pop Up Shops were family-friendly & showcasing invention, creativity and resourcefulness.   I found the 3D Printing Makers, particularly entertaining & informative.

A 3D Printed wind powered walking machine,
 complete with many moving parts.

  www.sydneydesign.com.au/2014/event/sydney-mini-maker-faire 

  

www.powerhousemuseum.com

On another floor, "The Oopsatoreum: inventions of Henry A. Mintox", was a collection of inventions arranged to tickle your funny bone & whet your appetite!

Certainly a humorous and offbeat collection of inventions fashioned from whimsical and strangely significant objects from the Powerhouse Museum's collection.

A poster showing some of the whimsical inventions
of the imaginery  Henry A Mintox.  This "Oops"
exhibition is a selection of quirky museum objects
& some made-up stories to explain their invention & use.

We also spent a little time visiting the Black Arrow Rocket Collection which is on display in the Space Exhibition at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre.  Laurie's father,  Maurice Watson as part of Britain's  rocket satellite launch program, was the Chief Rocket Development Engineer working on the project during the 1950's & 1960's at Woomera Rocket Range and the Needles Testing Facility, Isle of Wight, England.

For more information about the Black Arrow program & the Powerhouse collection -
  www.powerhousemuseum.com/insidethecollection/2010/11/rocketing-away/

Photos today taken with the phone! ...  

Time to pack the suitcases - off to Africa tomorrow :-)

Bye for now

Cheers

Jen

These feet were made for walking ... well until the rain starts

Yes ... more walking!
Mundane tasks first, like eating & collecting Malaria tablets.

Time to head back towards the Botanical Gardens, Sydney Opera House & the Sydney Harbour Bridge.    Along the way we checked out the harbour views, architecture, statues, fountains and flora.

Despite the rain, Pan enjoyed watching
the antics of the bridal parties
enjoying their wedding photo shoots!

In between sprinkles of rain we checked out our new 70mm Macro lens on the Nikon  D7000 - experimented with Depth of Field, Aperture, Speed & ISO etc.

The water fountain was a great spot
for experimenting with different camera settings.

Playing with the new Macro lens & its capabilities ...

A pollen party with Tulip 

Flora - Kangaroo Paw

Flora - Kangaroo Paw

With the rain falling steadily, we succumbed to hailing a taxi home!

Bye for now

Jen

Free Delivery from my Etsy Shop

While I'm on my African Adventure, you can enjoy FREE DELIVERY  on any order placed in my Etsy Shop, from 15 August to 22 September 2014 - Minimum order $10.00  

Use Code    FREESHIP10MINIMUM

Orders will be shipped in the week of 22 September.

Poppies in Spring
Toowoomba Festival of Flowers

I know that things will be a little quiet in my Etsy Shop for a few weeks.  But I will be checking in whenever I have internet access & any orders placed up to 22 September will receive FREE DELIVERY -   Minimum order $10.00  

Check out my Etsy Shop ...
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/JenWatsonPhotography

Getting into the African mood ...

Great flight.  Comfortable accommodation.  Easy walking to Sydney CBD, Darling Harbour etc.

Whilst checking out the sights, spied the Capitol Theatre playing "The Lion King".  Thought we'd get  into the African mood!!

So after a bite to eat in China Town settled down (well actually up in Row X) and enjoyed the show
 ...  great music, singing and animals & loved the theatre decor too !!      Impressive & quite unique costumes, lighting and production , too :-)

Not the best shot, but a snippet of the
atmosphere before the lights went down.

Need new feet tonight! ...

Refreshing, fine weather.  So we've enjoyed lots of walking, strolling & striding around Sydney & the lovely Botanical Gardens.   Been experimenting with new camera lenses & checking out the little eateries.   Heading off to one now.

Tulips were in bloom,
whilst lots of other flowers were just starting
to enjoy the warmer weather.

Bye for now

Jen

ps  Had forgotten how lucky were are in Queensland - few smokers in public spaces!